Nest.



OTIS G. LIKENS, 0F BRANDON, IOWA.

NEST.

Application filed February 16, 1916.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Orrs G. LIKENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brandon, in the county of Buchanan and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nests, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in nests; and it is an object of my invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the occupant of the nest is effectively protected against annoyance.

It is also an object of the invention to provide anovel and improved device of this general character wherein the entrance to the nest is under control of a closure member which is automatically adjusted into closed position when the nest proper is occupied and which automatically assumes an open position when the nest proper is unoccupied.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved nest whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through a nest constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, the catch herein embodied being shown in position to permit the device to be employed as a trap; and Fig. 2 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view taken through the device as herein set forth.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a casing of predetermined dimensions and preferably rectangular in top plan and having the rear portion of its bottom or floor open and mounted for vertical movement within the casing at the open portion of the bottom, is the nest 2 of any desired construction and provided at its opposite ends with the upstanding brackets Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 12, 1916.

Serial No. 78,701.

3 pivotally engaged, as at 4, with the short arms 5 of the lever 6, said lever 6 being pivotally supported intermediate its length, as at 7, with the side walls of the casing 1 or more particularly with the upstanding arms 8 of the substantially U-shaped member 9 disposed transversely of the casing 1 adjacent the forward margin of the open portion of the bottom or floor of the casing l. The end wall of the casing 1 remote from the open portion in the floor or bottom of the casing, is provided with an entrance opening 10 of a width less than the width of said end and said entrance opening 10 has its side or vertical margins defined by the outstanding flanges 11, the forward edges of which being arranged on upward and outward inclines, whereby the vertically swinging door 12 is prevented from passing beyond a dead center.

The door 12 has its lower margin fixed to the shaft 14: rotatably supported in the bearings 15 arranged at opposite sides of the entrance opening 10, and said shaft 14: has its opposite ends provided with the cranks 16 with which are operatively engaged the pitmen 17 which extend within the casing 1 through the vertically disposed slots formed in the end wall of the casing 1 at opposite sides of the entrance opening 10 and are secured to the free extremities of the long arms 18 of the levers 6, whereby it will be perceived that the weight of a hen upon the nest 2 will cause the door 12 to automatically assume a closed position.

As herein embodied, the outer or free end of the door 12 is provided with a weight 19 whereby it will be perceived that when the hen leaves the nest 2, the door 12 will automatically drop into open position. The end wall of the casing 1 above the entrance opening 10 is provided with a window opening 20 adapted to be closed by the vertically movable slide or shutter 21, and said shutter 21 is operatively engaged through the medium of the flexible members 22 with the long arms 18 of the levers 6, whereby it will be perceived that as the door 12 assumes a closed position, the slide or shutter 21 will be moved in an open position, and vice versa. While it is believed to be self-evident, it may be well to state that the flexible members 22 are passed around suitable guide pulleys 23.

It is a well known fact that a hen has preference for darkness and it is for this reason that I provide means for closing the opening when the door 12 is in an open position. When the hen has occupied the nest the shutter 21 is caused to move into an open position with the closing of the door so that light together with air will be admitted within the casing 1. The light entering through the opening 20 also has a tendency to induce the hen to leave the nest which is also of manifest advantage for reasons .which are believed to be clearly apparent to those familiar with devices of this character.

While my device is primarily adapted for use as a hens nest, I have found in practice that the same may also be employed as a trap. or this reason I have pivotally engaged with the end Wall of the casing l at a point above the entrance opening 10, the catch 24; which, when in requisite position, is adapted to coact with the door 12 when in closed position for maintaining the same in said position until manually released.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a nest constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification Without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a casing provided with an entrance opening and with a window opening, a swinging door coacting with said entrance opening and normally maintained open by gravity, a shutter coacting with the window opening, levers pivotally supported intermediate their length for rocking movement within the casing, a nest mounted for vertical movement and pivotally engaged with the inner extremities of the levers, an operative connection between the forward extremities of the levers and the door for adjusting the door in closed position upon downward movement of the nest, and an operative connection between a lever and the shutter for moving the shutter in an open position upon depression of the nest.

2. A device of the character described comprising a casing provided with an entrance opening and with a window opening, a swinging door coacting with said entrance opening and normally maintained open by gravity, a shutter coacting with the window opening, levers pivotally supported intermediate their length for rocking movement within the casing, a nest mounted for vertical movement and pivotally engaged with the inner extremities of the levers, an operative connection between the forward extremities of the levers and the door for adjusting the door in closed position upon downward movement of the nest, and a suitably guided fiexible member interposed between a lever and the shutter for moving the shutter in an open position upon depression of the nest, said shutter assuming a closed position by gravity upon elevation of the nest.

In testimony whereof I hereunto al'liX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OTIS G. LIKENS. IVitnesses It. I-I. JAMInsoN, THEODORE PEoK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

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